The popular broadcast journalist, Ibrahim Ishaq, widely known as Dan’uwa Rano, remains in police custody following his arrest on Saturday in Kano metropolis by officers from the Zone 1 Police Command, an arrest reportedly carried out without the presentation of a valid warrant.
The detention followed a petition filed by Abdullahi Ibrahim Rogo, Director-General of Protocol to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, who accused the journalist of defamation over reports aired on Dan’uwa Rano TV, an online platform.
Sources close to the investigation told reporters that the police have insisted Dan’uwa Rano must produce “Malam Imalu,” a fictional character featured in one of his YouTube programmes titled Letter from Imalu, before any consideration for his release.
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Court and investigation documents earlier reviewed and published by Daily Nigerian revealed that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have linked Abdullahi Rogo to the alleged diversion of more than ₦6.5 billion in public funds. The funds were reportedly channelled through companies such as H&M Nigeria Limited, A.Y. Maikifi Petroleum, and Ammas Oil and Gas Limited, using fictitious contracts and currency conversions through bureau de change operators.
According to the reports, ₦1.1 billion has already been recovered, while a Federal High Court in Kano ordered the forfeiture of ₦142.2 million linked to Rogo to the ICPC.
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Before his detention, Dan’uwa Rano told journalists that the police accused him of operating without a valid license from the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and running an unregistered media company. He described his arrest as an attempt to intimidate the press and suppress free expression in Kano State.
Eyewitnesses confirmed that the journalist’s arrest was carried out without due legal procedure, as no warrant was presented at the time of his apprehension. He was taken directly to Zone 1 Police Headquarters for questioning and has since remained in custody under what sources describe as “administrative orders.”
Reports indicate that Dan’uwa Rano may remain in detention until at least Monday, when he is expected to be arraigned before a magistrate court in Kano.
‘The Historica Nigeria’s’ repeated attempts to reach Zone 1 Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Bashir, have been unsuccessful, with calls going unreturned as of the latest update.